Gemco Department Stores
Guestbook 2007-2008
Back to Guestbook and to post.
Back to Gemco Department StoresTuesday, December 30th 2008 - 10:22:50 AM
Name: Ron Zwolak gemco 526 and 800 Email : zwolak_ronald@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Christmas parties we had prior to being transferred to NC
Wednesday, December 24th 2008 - 11:44:10 AM
Name: Dan Skapinsky Email : skap@mindspring.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: San Jose store (Hillsdale)- Rudy, Joe, and I pushing 100 cart long trains into the store stopping traffic and the store manager getting pissed at us and threatening to write us up next time. haha But we always kept up the tradition of those loooong cart trains thru the parking lot. I laugh today to see the boys at Target with those hi-tech cart pushers. That's too easy. Comments: I have many great memories of going on our weekly Gemco trip with my dad. I loved that store. Then when I was 16, I got a job there as a cart boy. Then got promoted to the best job in the store, Grocery Pick-Up. Worked there till I got laid off and store closed in 1986. Gemco will always live as my favorite store EVER!
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 04:50:33 PM
Name: Mary Sutton Greeley Email : mary240qgreeley@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I worked Colam Gemco 1974-1979 Comments: Started as cashier and moved up to assistant manger for housewares and Toy dept. I'd like to know what my manager did because I did all the ordering and dealing with the sales men etc. The poor stock boys were all ways being harrases by the new store manager we got later and come to me for help. I quite because of that manager.
There was a lot of great people and great memories there.
Yes we were like a family.
Remember getting the front counter girls to page for Mr. Jack Meoff? They fell for that one everytime and Mr. Peat Moss. LOL
Oh those were the days my friends we thought they would never end.. trah la la la.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 04:49:49 PM
Name: Mary Sutton Greeley Email : mary240qgreeley@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I worked Colam Gemco 1974-1979 Comments: Started as cashier and moved up to assistant manger for housewares and Toy dept. I'd like to know what my manager did because I did all the ordering and dealing with the sales men etc. The poor stock boys were all ways being harrases by the new store manager we got later and come to me for help. I quite because of that manager.
There was a lot of great people and great memories there.
Yes we were like a family.
Remember getting the front counter girls to page for Mr. Jack Meoff? They fell for that one everytime and Mr. Peat Moss. LOL
Oh those were the days my friends we thought they would never end.. trah la la la.
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - 04:28:43 PM
Name: Mary Email : mary240qgreeley@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Lock in the store
Gemco George
Patty HurstComments: I worked at Gemco in Colma in 1974-1979 I'm the girl wo had the red Yamah motercycle and got locked in once while I was changing my clothes for the motercycle ride back home. Remember the emp nick named Gemco George? who also rode a motercycle who brought the gun to wok (as a joke) and pointed at the girl the the frount counter and said "take your clothers off" He freaked when she screamed not recognizing him. Must have been the helmet. He said later he had a crus on that girl and thought she would know who it was when he pulled the bizzar stunt.
Also Patty Hurst came through my check stand (whispering) asking for help when she was kidnaped. There was a man and woman with her acting strange. No one believed me. Turned out she was being held in a closet 5 houses down the same street I lived on!
Remember the store manager who on his days off dressed as a priest and went to the hospital and told the people they were dying and wanted to hear their confessions? He was later caught and arrested. I never did like him and quit my jon because of that nut..
Oh Yeah those were the days... LP's oh all the LP's they carried My one and only credit card I ever got was a Gemco card. Old fashion cash registers.. We use to have contests who could check out the people the fastest. You had to know how to count change back then.
How did I get my job there??? I went and applied wearing a nice pant outfit and was told they were not taking applications. I noticed all the other girls had very short skirts that worked there. So I went home and changed into te shortest skirt I had and went back the same day. I was hired on the spot. I worked there for three years and never wore a short skirt after I was hired to the disapoitment of the store manager. LOL
Mary
Saturday, December 13th 2008 - 11:56:50 AM
Name: Ernie Reynoso- store 526 riverside Email : reynosoe@msn.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I still remember those calls like "seven patio" seven patio. or "all TEN patio. especially around christmas time.
or how about when Diane the secretary would say " Hello everyone Gemco will be opening in 10 minutes" I do miss those years i spent working there with the gang. I worked there from 1980 to 1984 as the patio clerk. Must say i was fortunate to have probably the best hours 8 to 5 off weekends. I was in charge of ordering all the outdoor and indoor plants. Hey rember those patio SALES they were fun. Gemco 526 had the best and how about them christmas trees.
But man towards the few days before christmas any trees left were marked down to 2 dollars hehe they were a fire hazard.
Saturday, December 6th 2008 - 01:25:02 PM
Name: Bob Vukobradovich Email : rvuko1@aol.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Glen Mcombe nightly store closing announcement to customers. Goodevening Gemco shoppers,your Gemco store will be closing for the evening, so please bring your purches to the checkstand, In 15 minutes we will be filling the store up with water and realising the the trained guard sharks. Hope you can swim
Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 03:56:19 PM
Name: VARILLA Email : vangievarilla@netzero.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I am keeping life membershipcard that my DAD acquired since 11/17/1979 Comments: I think that it is a pleasure being a primary member of GEMCO. I am just wondering if GEMCO has a possibilty to come back. Best of luck.
Saturday, November 22nd 2008 - 03:49:41 PM
Name: Evangeline M. Varilla
Wednesday, November 12th 2008 - 12:31:09 PM
Name: brian rich Email : BriBear51@aol.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Roasting Jim Harris his going away party. Comments: #526 Riverside
Cart dude > housewares > Drugs > Patio > Xmas night crew > ran a mean register too
never wanted to be promoted - 6 days a week???? Please!!!!
It was 4 years that seemed like a lifetime.
I figured out the 2nd day of the job that when the other 29 was showing me where to hide and take cigarette breaks I probably should not listen to him.
Yes, it was like family---dysfunctional t times---some you would not take home to mother---but a great experience.
I still have dreams of the place.
Favorite people: Lanny Little, Dave Clibon; Mike Flogerzie; Mullins; Ed Collins, Don Domer who was brilliant enough to hire me.
and John... oh, crud, what was his name---slicked back jet black hair and a real wise ass---and they still made him Number!!! And Charlie, who could be a real orifice but at least he organized our regular Monday golf outings!
And of course, Mike Cook, who took one for the team.
We loved you Mike---and the revenge was sweet.
I loved dealing with people.
Once while waiting for one of those Longgggggg price checks I led the people waiting in line in singing Christmas Carols.
When I screwed up my knee once and had to limp around the store so when they called an all 10 variety I limped to my register announcing, "OK. Handicapped line over here!"
I remember crashing Lanny in the lunchbox display bus.
Doing impressions of our #1 over the P.A.
Dave recommended a weed killer as fertilizer.
Hated doing inventory of the galvanized fittings---45 @ .37.
It was the days of bell bottoms and loud shirts.
I was clean cut when they hired me---then i went to a permed out afro and a goatee---my black customers loved it.
But I was young stupid and aimless and 4 years was enough so I drifted away.
Never worked retail again, but much of what I learned in life I learned at Gemco.
Saturday, November 8th 2008 - 07:08:23 PM
Name: Christina Nagy McKenna Email : allezchristy@yahoo.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Too many to say, but I loved the people I worked with...was 16 when I started, was still the youngest in our store at 19 when I left. Returned a year later after a year abroad. Comments: Worked at the "the zoo" 507 Sacramento. Crazy store, but I wouldn't trade the experience for the world.
Friday, November 7th 2008 - 04:42:25 PM
Name: Corinne (Burrow, Fraser) Cressler Email : ccress1@att.net Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Working in Gemco has many memories. I don't think I could pick a favorite. Most of the people were great to work with, a few exceptions in management, but overall was very sad when they closed their doors.
Saturday, October 25th 2008 - 10:42:53 AM
Name: Mario Alcocer Email : madaoyuan@yahoo.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I remember how Gemco was the place to shop when I was growing up in the 70s and 80s. We used to have a neighbor that was a bit "uppity" and she would always flaunt her Gemco membership at us. I think this is so funny...now! Back then we all thought she was obnoxious. I remember when I finally got to go into a Gemco store. It was so different from going to a regular store. Shortly afterwards Gemco disappeared. How sad! Comments: Great idea for a website!
Wednesday, October 15th 2008 - 04:24:52 PM
Name: Cart boy Rudy 130 carts!!!! has anyone beat my record? Email : forty_niner_ru@yahoo.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Hanging out with Eddie Achica and the rest of the guys in the warehouse... oh and pushing 130 carts of course....lol Comments: What's up hardware boy Rocci???, 29 m to hardware...lol Hey Vinnie remember the wheat nuts in the warehouse??? LOL Remember playing baseball in the warehouse???
Sunday, October 12th 2008 - 09:19:26 PM
Name: # 515 Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Yo Chata we coined the name chata in Glendora Don't you remeber? Comments: Let Me know
Saturday, October 11th 2008 - 06:14:27 PM
Name: #515 Favorite "GEMCO" memory: YO CHATA, I THINK YOU AND I COINED THE NAME CHATA ORTEGA
CAN YOU GUESS WHO I AM?Comments: I AM PRETTY SURE WE DID...
Friday, October 10th 2008 - 05:37:34 PM
Name: Frank Salcido Email : fsalcido@sbcglobal.net Comments: Now I remember, our receptionists were Amelia and LESLIE! Also, Carrie, and I can't think of her name, but she had short black hair and glasses. I know I'll remember her name some how. (Boy, aren't brain injuries great?)And it was Linda Davidson who I took those frequent lunch breaks with.
Like quite a few of these posts say, I agree. Working at Gemco was a great work experience. I learned what real customer service is and I carried that with me in my other employment ventures. Wal-Mart is pure ghetto, Target is iffy and seems like the "employees" are more concerned about themselves than the customers. Customer service at Home Depot is badly wanting. All I can say is thank you Gemco for all I learned there over the years. I greatly put that to use when I was delivering bottled water; you could tell every Christmas season when I was always the one waterman walking back into the office every day with armloads of gifts and envelopes of money given to me by my customers. If my book gets published and I make money off it, I'm buying an old-fashion milk truck and starting my own dairygoods delivery service here in Carmel - white uniform, old milkman style hat, and my company logo on glass milk bottles; all delivered to the back or front porch. I show what excellent customer service is. Thanks Gemco, even though you're gone, the spirit lives on!
Wednesday, October 8th 2008 - 02:21:47 PM
Name: Frank Salcido Email : fsalcido@sbcglobal.net Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Most likely the time I climbed up secretly on the warehouse shelves with a saw and cut the head off a female mannequin. All of a sudden, Amado Blabagno, aka Al, comes up the aisle below pulling a hand truck, looks up and sees what I'm doing, shakes his head in silent anger, and keeps on going up the aisle. I climb down with the head, sneak into the womens bathroom and stick it in a toilet in the first stall. An hour later #2 manager Betty Perez, smoking her ever-present cigarette, stops me in the store main aisle between cosmetics and over the counter meds.
"Frankie, was it you that stuck the mannequin head in the womens toilet?"
"Betty, I'd never do that"
"Frank, it had to have been you, be honest"
"Ok, yeah, it was me"
"Frank, (Joann? the lady in Jewelry)almost had a heart attack. She went into the bathroom and as soon as she opened the stall door, theres this head looking up at her. I had to send her home for the day, she was a wreck"
"Oops"
Wait, maybe it was the time John Anniballi was Patio Department Manager and tried growing pot outside in the patio garden. And the crazy parties at Denise and Kevin Mickelsons house...oy vey. The numerous lunch breaks with Linda in her old beat-up brown bug around the corner where we'd imbibe in a doobie or two.Comments: I started at Bellflower #529 about '77 as a courtesy clerk (cartboy)with John A, tall Jerry, Matt Kline, and a few others I can't remember. It was a feat pushing a row of up to 40 carts into the store, past the reception desk, usually manned by Amelia and (her names on the tip of my tongue), down the main aisle, to the cart area before Credit. That job, that store, the many, many experiences, the numerous friends, it was a part of my life I can never forget. The times John would call the Reception Desk and ask to have Mr. Pete Moss paged to patio...and the girls fell for it every time!
I lefty a year before the store closed, taking a job as warehouseman/driver in L.A. with my dad, then a job in Los Alamitos installing ONTV, then a great job working for Lanier Business Products as their first Field Engineer, installing and maintaining computerized phone systems for three years, then accepted a position as Hardware Tech for a major software company who was one of our customers at Lanier, got laid off 2 years l;ater due to massive corporate reorganization, ran my own business for a summer the delivered bottled water for Yosemite Waters for 3 years, Sparkletts for two, then upped and moved to...now get this...Carmel By The Sea, where I'm still at...except now on SSI Disability. Good 'ol Frank was hit by a truck while crossing a street in Monterey in 2001. truth be told, I'm supposed to be dead. They wanted to pull the plug after the first week but my mom said no. Comatose for a month and expected to be a permanent brain dead paraplegic. Huh, beat that one. Dam doctors didn't know who they were messin' with. Oh yeah, my speech is different now from what it was, and my left hand doesn't work, but hey, I'm still here.
I'm still reading the guest book comments, laughing a lot and crying a bit. I'm actually thinking of writing a comedy screen play about Gemco 529. I'm working on my first book right now. SSI sucks!
If any of you former 529ers read this, hit me up. Maybe we should start planning a reunion/memorial party. Life is way too short.
Frank
Saturday, October 4th 2008 - 08:02:33 PM
Name: Diane Email : webhoppn@aol.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Eating Reeses inside the tent displays! Comments: I grew up across the street from the Anaheim store! They had everything! I bought my first Dittos there :) I remember scrounging for change at home to go buy french fries at the snack bar...I don't think the employees loved us though! I remember trying to blend in with families to get in because I never knew where my mom's membership card was! Ha! Good Memories!!!!
Sunday, September 28th 2008 - 08:22:05 PM
Name: Loretta Email : csld89@yahoo.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Just about everyone I worked with. Many years have past and still I do not forget what a great place Gemco was. After it closed down, I could not go into Target for years. Even to this day, I still talk about how Gemco was like family.
Sunday, September 21st 2008 - 04:26:27 PM
Name: Chata ortega Comments: Hey #515, Yes I worked at the Glendora Store as well as many others.
Monday, September 8th 2008 - 09:30:21 PM
Name: Dick Eyster Email : lildickie39@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Watching the store manager, George Hay, Throwing vegetables at clerks as they rode pallet jacks through the store. What a piece of work he was. I was the asst. mgr. at the time[1964]. I thought he was just literaly CRAZY. The wheels seemed to love him, go figure..... Comments: I worked in 13 Lucky or Gemco food depts for 33 years. @ 26 as store mgr. I wouldnt trade the experience for anything.Those were such great times. 1961 an experiment called Big Bear. 1965 , making Mgr. at Glendale cLuky.Early 1970 Opening Torrance Gemco...Mid 1970 Opening the New Lucky in riviera village, Redondo. I quit in 1989 and gave two weeks notice. The folks in charge then were bastards to work for , and when an opportunity presented itself , I was gone. But, I do look back once in a while and wonder what happened to all those fine folks I used to work with. If you remember me or we ever worked together I would love to hear from you. Thanks for the forum...Dick
Saturday, August 16th 2008 - 01:32:05 AM
Name: Stacey Email : hayloh@hotmail.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I dragged my dad into Gemco one day and bought one of those hard to get at one time 'pot bellied bears'. Comments: My mom was a stay at home mom and she would take me shopping with her to Gemco. I used to camp out in those circular clothing racks and pretty much run rampant in the store. The employees were really nice, even to a hellion like me :) Thank you especially the people who worked in the Torrance store.
Wednesday, August 13th 2008 - 10:01:02 AM
Name: dan morales Email : dmorales@fuquahomes.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Smoking weed with Marty Kennedy and Paul Gruenstein outside in the garden Dept.....Chuck Bell and Richard Weeks busted us, and let us off with a warning. Comments: Cupertino, CA alumni 1975 to 1978.
Tuesday, August 12th 2008 - 08:49:10 PM
Name: #515 Favorite "GEMCO" memory: HEY CHATA ORTEGA---Ever work @ the Glendora Store?
Saturday, August 9th 2008 - 10:54:38 AM
Name: Chata Ortega Website: http://retards for DaveLocko.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Too many to decide on Comments: I only have a bad memory. Dave Locko. What a total jerk! And then I ended up working with him again at another retailer. Same dog, same fleas. Yuk!!!
Saturday, August 9th 2008 - 01:19:28 AM
Name: Michael Jaynes Email : michael.jaynes@ca.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I was a cart boy to begin with. One of my favorite memories is an old woman trying to go out the in door as I was bringing in a GIANT line of carts. The doors swung open and literally sweet her off her feet. She was not hurt, but it was very funny. Comments: I worked in the La Mesa, California, store #571 - 8011 University Ave. From 1979 - 1984. I worked with Mark Ulrich, #1 Bill Price, #2 Larry Shignenaka, #3 John Paden, #4 John Belleau ... oh, yes Barbara Downing, Paul Bauer, Karen Cook, Carla Curtis, Dan Dixon, Paul Lucatorto, Richard Bergeron, Mark Orsborne, Lynette Cason, Chip Rowe (nice chin), Bill Locko, Lori Brisco, Laura Patton (Lolly), Sherry Finn, Shiela O'Kelly, Dave Gutierriez, Omar Garcia, Barbara Edwards, Don King, Sharon Bernstein (Bernastenia), Dan Dorin, Steve Avery (bullet), Charnell Gardiell. If there is any one else out there from Gemco La Mesa, drop me an email. Love to hear from you.
Sunday, August 3rd 2008 - 10:50:11 PM
Name: Bob Favorite "GEMCO" memory: Nice Place to shop
Monday, July 28th 2008 - 09:51:24 PM
Name: Michelle Parkin (Rapport) Email : itrampi@aol.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: SO MANY!!!! There's not enough room here to write them all. Comments: Can't believe I was told about this site for former Gemcoees! I love reading about familiar names here. I worked at the Chino store from 1981-1984, approximately. This has sure brought back alot of memories for me. Peace on!
Sunday, July 27th 2008 - 08:51:49 PM
Name: Mike Stralovich Email : axkikr@yahoo.com Favorite "GEMCO" memory: I was a 16 year old cart boy who used to love to find 12 packs of beer left on the bottom of carts during the summer. Also the grilled cheese sandwiches in the snack bar. Lots of great people, just a fun place to work !!! Comments: I worked at the Walnut Creek store from 1981-1983
Saturday, July 26th 2008 - 06:04:21 PM
Name: Heather Favorite "GEMCO" memory: The snack bar during the night time breaks. Comments: I worked at the Ventura store while I went to Buena High and met a lot of nice people. Still see them now and then.
| Name: | Jack Duty |
| Email : | jrduty@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Night crew memories |
| Comments: | Worked at the Cerritos store grocery dept night crew |
| Name: | Debbie Nicholson |
| Email : | tx.debb@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | When my family moved to San Leandro when I started 6th grade (around 1966), our backyard was located directly across the freeway from the Gemco sign. I still tell where the house is because of that sign. After Gemco left, Levitz moved in. Even as a kid, I loved going there with my parents. My last Barbie was purchased there by my mom as well as my favorite watch. It was a great place to shop! |
| Name: | dale wittern |
| Email : | daleo4@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | too many to list what a great group of people I had the pleasure of knowing (partying with) I couldn't believe there was a website. Had to laugh at the memories of some who reminded me of my own forgotton ones |
| Comments: | Bellflower, Ca 1973-76 Amelia Martinez Cheryl Grinstead Art Negrete Sherry Shingleton Danny Thompson Teresa Frye Alex Rodriquez Karen Kingston Gale Bennett Phil Bockstader Esther Colon(sp?) Rich Hibben Know anyone here? Ask them to e-mail me |
| Name: | Rochelle Sharma |
| Email : | ro_shrm@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Taking the bus (Regional Transit - Sacramento,CA)with my mom to put my school uniform on layaway. |
| Comments: | Thank you so much for this site. I have only a few
memories of Gemco, since i was very young (around 3-6) when my mom
would take me with her. Im sure she had the Gemco membership before i
even came along. I remember doing school shopping and christmas
shopping and standing in the loooong layaway line! The 80's were the
best in so many ways! Our Gemco was replaced with a Target which is
still there today and i even worked there when i was 19. When i was
hired they asked me had i ever shopped at Target before, i said no, but
my mom had a Gemco membership and we were in here alot. They were
pretty suprised i knew about Gemco because i was so young ;) i guess i
have a pretty good memory ;) thank you again- Rochelle Sharma |
| Name: | james morgan |
| Email : | rudedoggym@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I had lots of memories as we pulled a lot of pranks at the Phoenix Az store. |
| Comments: | I ACTUALLY WORKED FOR kENNEY SHOES, WE WERE A LEASED DEPT IN THE GEMCO STORES. I WORKED THERE FROM NOV 1972-JAN 1982. I WORKED AT THE PHX AZ., GLENDALE AZ.,BEAUMONT TX., AND THE INDIO CA. STORES. |
| Name: | Joe Dauer |
| Email : | joedauer@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite Gemco memory was from Dec 20 1986. the day
we closed down Gemco #512 the Walnut Creek, Ca Store. I started at the
WC store in 1974. Hired by Doc Wright the #2 to push carts. While everyone was sorry to see the store go, it was a blessing. |
| Comments: | Names to remember... Doc Wright Jack Bobinac & Kathy Jack Dyer Cal Knox Mike Herbst Don Ritchie & Tammy Gerry Awes & Shelly Marty Rodriquez & Paula and many more... |
| Name: | Diana K |
| Comments: | I bagged groceries at the Speedway/Kolb location in Tucson, Az for a very short time in 1985. |
| Name: | Patrick Gawne |
| Email : | patrickbgawne@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Loved going to Gemco on payday and seeing what albums were on sale. |
| Comments: | My sister killed Gemco, really........ |
| Name: | Dolores Albertson |
| Email : | ankharoundmyneck@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | First day of work was fun. |
| Comments: | Did NOT enjoy being sexually harrassed by my boss. Anyone that thinks Gemco was the perfect job is a bit soft in the head. |
| Name: | Darlene Humphries Bellis |
| Email : | montecoresmom@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at the Long Beach store from 1980-1985. I had so much fun with so many friends in the Ladies dept and Domestics. I loved making the clearance section in domestics look orderly. Jeffrie Smith and I bonded folding towels and rugs and are still great pals. |
| Comments: | I couldn't have enjoyed a first job more. May Yamanishi and I became great friends. I also loved breaking down the goods in the warehouse. Has anyone heard from Tom Van Hussen, Lisa Sotelo, Ron Fairchild, Margaret Vanderah, or any other Long Beach people? We should have a reunion picnic. I still know Janee Perry and Elaine Chambers. |
| Name: | Patricia Peterson (Borger) |
| Email : | ppeterson1@dc.rr.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The family atomsphere that we had. As I look at the guestbook it is amazing to see how many of us met out spouse at Gemco. I met my husband of 32 years at the Indio Gemco, I was #4 and he was my Men's Dept. Mgr. It was also a family affair, all of my family worked for Gemco with the exception of my dad. My brother is Mike Borger, who I know alot of you remember. He was last at the Victorville store as the store Mgr. My mother worked in the Domestic dept in Glendora...just to get out of the house and have something to do. |
| Comments: | There are so many people I have lost track of and would
love to hear from...or if anyone know what happened to them. Hal & Darlene Kuchel (I think I spelled the last name right) Del Gossert, Bill Micheil, Paul Guera, Gary Hill, Ron Hanstein...just to name a few. I started in the Childrens dept in 1967 at the San Gabriel store, then moved to Glendora, Fullerton, Riverside and Indio and Cathedral City. As others have said in this guestbook was the best time I ever had. |
| Name: | Roy the Webster |
| Website: | http://www.pbase.com/roy/gemco |
| Comments: | I have added the photos of the Stockton album that Floyd Perry had run across. Thanks again Floyd |
| Name: | Roy the Webster |
| Website: | http://www.pbase.com/roy/gemco |
| Comments: | I have added the photos of the Stockton album that Floyd Perry had run across. Thanks again Floyd |
| Name: | Dr Michael J DiGirolamo |
| Email : | DrD@2020.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I opened the Optometry Department in the San Bernardino
Store in November of 1978 and was there to its close in 1986 when I
moved my office down the street on Highland Blvd. Anyone remember that store? |
| Name: | teri ramirez orlandos |
| Email : | nickorlandos@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | i worked in cucamonga (before the rancho) & north hollywood |
| Name: | teri ramirez-orlandos |
| Email : | nickorlandos@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | growing up with some great friends |
| Comments: | how to find everyone |
| Name: | David Goldblatt |
| Email : | davidgoldblatt@sympatico.ca |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My first beer on the loading dock of the La Mirada Gemco. |
| Comments: | Great to see so many of you. My dad was Roger Goldblatt, he was a district manager for the jewelry department at Gemco. He worked for the company for about 25 years before they closed. My dad's mom (Mae Goldblatt)worked at the Long Beach Gemco, I worked in the grocery department at the La Mirada store and my brother worked at the Lucky store in Cerritos. Unfortunately, my dad passed away from brain cancer in February of 2001, he was 59. We all loved Gemco and still miss the store. |
| Name: | Andy Herrock |
| Email : | QC_88@yahoo.ca |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the great times working from the opening announcement, "The color of tape today is green" , to hearing the closing announcement: "Good evening members and guests. Gemco is now closing. Gemco will be open tomorrow at 10am. The staff and management of Gemco thanks you for visiting us and bids you a very cordial Good Evening". |
| Comments: | I started as a box boy at #403, Glendora, CA in the mid
'70s with checkers Leslie Harrington, Peggy Morris, Arline Penner,
Chris Nicholson, Ralph Contraras, Sue Riggins, Sue Apodaca, Gloria
Gomez, Gloria Gee and Irene Baltzer. In Produce: Bob Burt and Chuck.
Our store managers were Rocky Tenerali and Bob Sears. I also worked at: #423-La Puente, #491-Pomona, #631(?)-San Bernardino and #486-Riverside(Arlington Ave) |
| Name: | Jackie Ryan (Also Dill and Carver when i worked at gemco |
| Email : | myangeldamo@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://myangeldamo.zoomshare.com/ |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Getting through the christmas holidays and living. That was such a crazy time of year |
| Comments: | Hi I worked at the Indio store in 1976, then Cerritos
from 1977 until I transferred to Fountain Valley. I was pregnant when I
was at FV and I had a babyboy named Damian Carver, but as life
progressed he went my Damo. My son passed away on February 12, 2006 one month shy of his 20th birthday, he was my oinly child. Life wothout him is the hardest thing I have to get through, at times life is jut not living. I live in San Diego. I married a wonderful man in 1998 and his name is Mike Ryan. I will never have a job like the one at Gemoc. We were like family not employees. It Was Great!!! |
| Name: | Floyd Perry |
| Email : | pinkfloyd95209@gmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.bobwilkinsthemanbehindthecigar.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Numerous To Mention |
| Comments: | Well, I got the Photo Album and it is a beauty. Definately a labor of love by its previous owner who happened to be a Security Guard at GEMCO. His name was PAUL W. BARBOUR. The Photo album has assorted photos of employees of GEMCO inside the GEMCO store in STOCKTON as well as a Farewell /Christmas Party plus Newspaper Clippings of GEMCO related articles and Ads. When I have a chance, I plan to scan and send Roy a copy of the photos. If anyone out there, ever worked at the Stockton GEMCO, especially around the year of 1986, will probably want to see these photos. Who knows? Maybe you are in these photos! |
| Name: | PhiLIP LYNCH |
| Email : | plynchii@mac.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I was their the day it opened, in 1959 "501" 2300 Lincoln blvd, Anahiem. My father was the sporting goods concessioner, I worked in the stores for over twenty five years in various positions. |
| Comments: | Honestly feel it was the forerunner of what is now the
Wal-Mart model, that model is actually the GEMCO model. Recently had dinner with a past president of Lucky Stores and he admitted the worst thing they ever did was liquidate the Gemco division. No Kidding. |
| Name: | Floyd Perry |
| Website: | http://www.bobwilkinsthemanbehindthecigar.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My Favorite "GEMCO" memory? They are too numerous to mention! |
| Comments: | Yesterday, I just bought a GEMCO STORE, STOCKTON CALIFORNIA GOING OUT OF BUSINESS ALBUM from a Used Book Website for $25. I am looking forward to recieving it! It must have been prepared by a Former GEMCO employee as it includes about 50 Photos of the Stockton Gemco Store from October of 1986 as well as Newspaper Clippings and other GEMCO Ephemera. I report later when I recieve it. |
| Name: | Sandy Bever |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Night shift during the holidays! Christmas party in Long Beach taking the double decker bus from Northridge...going to court with Mitch, Dan and our #2 to possibly testify against a bad guy. Did I mention we had the best store in Woodand Hills, CA..Gemco was a great place to work. |
| Name: | David Verrico |
| Email : | dhverrico@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Holiday picnics we had at the beach when we were closed on Monday's. Actually, all my memeories are great. It's because that place was so dam fun that I'm still in retail 30 years later..... |
| Name: | Denise Maiorano -Torrez |
| Email : | dmtorrez@pravacsi.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Nothing but great memories! Gemco La Mirada, then on the Gemco 541 Yorba Linda. Great memories at 541. Jim Harris was probably the finest store manager in the busines. I went to work at the main office working for D. Maggett and then on to the patio buying office. Great times working for Tom Copeland and Don Hart. I always look back and smile :) |
| Name: | Debra Moeller AKA Bogan |
| Email : | debmole@sbcglobal.net |
| Website: | http://www.rowoflife.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Many! |
| Comments: | I worked at Torrance Gemco #537 from 1981 to close. I worked in Toy, Patio and few other places. My mother, Margo Bogan aka Cram worked at Culver City Gemco #574. My best friend Carmen Escarpa worked at Culver City, as did her husband, Kevin Sullivan. My father, Norman Bogan, worked at Gardena Gemco. My exhusband, Ralph Moeller, worked at several Lucky Stores and at the grocery section of Carson Gemco. |
| Name: | Fred |
| Email : | fshttopic@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I rememeber shopping with my mother when I was around 5 or 6 at the location on Indian Hill Blvd in Pomona. We'd drive our old station wagon down and it was the most amazing thing seeing the employees load your groceries. When she used to take me and my sister Christmas shopping, she'd send us to the other side of the store, while she bought gifts. It was so huge, especially to a 6 year old, we wouldn't be able to sneak peaks at what she bought, because we couldn't find her! Believe me, we tried! |
| Comments: | GEMCO was way ahead of it's time. Even though I was young, I still regard it as one of the best stores that I've ever been to. Only people who grew up in Pomona in the early 80s are familiar with it and have just as many good memories. This store had everything! Sams Club and Costco, Wal-Mart and Target try to reproduce that kind of service, but don't come close. GEMCO really covered every need their shoppers had. Thanks to you all for all the great service throughout the years! GEMCO will always be a fond memory to me. Let's all break open our piggy banks and bring it back!! |
| Name: | Larry Miller |
| Email : | MrMil56@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Working in the credit office and waiting on, how shall I say it, not the brightest customers!? Also working night crew during Christmas Holidays. |
| Comments: | I worked my way up from a cart pusher-inner to a Credit Office Manager and worked In Indio, Huntington Beach, San Diego (Balboa & 805) and Woodland Hills. Does anybody know what happened to Annette Magette or her Mom Rose? So many people, so little time. Last time I talked to him, Rex Ogimachi was in Santa Clarita, CA. I still remember my GEMCO card number (go figure--I cant remember much else but that). Let me know what's going on with all you Gemco-ites...And where is Johnnie Lafayette? |
| Name: | Larry K. Rowland |
| Email : | LKR63@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | BEING A PART OF THE GEMCO FAMILY |
| Comments: | I started at the Santa Ana store in 66 (credit office) promoted to Office mgr in 67 and was moved to Fountain Valley until I transfered to Indio in 74. Then I made the mistake of quiting and moving to Wash State for 3 years. I missed my old job, so I flew back to Ca to meet with Larry Bagley and Herb Balius. Herb told me to pick my store, I wanted the Victorville store and he gave it to me. I was there from opening to closing in 86. I still live in the area. I remember so many wonderful people and wonder where they are now. Roy Woodbury died in 2006, in case anyone knew him. |
| Name: | Neil Jessen |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | As a kid, hiding underneath those round clothing racks in the womens clothing department when I was there with my mom. Either that, or going to the sporting goods section with my dad to buy our tackle for our many fishing trips we made. |
| Comments: | I just wanted to say thanks to all the Gemco employees. When I was a kid, my parents would go to the Gemco on Lincoln street in Anaheim. I practically grew up at that store! We used to go to either Gemco or Sears for just about everything we needed. I have a lot of memories of going into that store. |
| Name: | Kenton Sellgren |
| Email : | KSellgren@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I first moved into Cerritos in 1972. I was 8 years old.
After a few years of regular shopping with my mom, the Manager decided
to start a raffle each month for a bicycle. A year later I won. |
| Comments: | I was reading some of the entries and it sounds like
that some of the crew did not like pushing carts. The Cerritos manager
found an easy way out of this and how to get the carts back in 100%.
For every 3 carts you brought in, you were given 3 tickets in return.
The match to each ticket would go into a bucket for the monthly
drawing. While Mom would do her shopping, I would be out in the parking
lot shasgging carts and getting those tickets. By the way, at the closing of the Cerritos store, the manager was Danny Rydman. If anyone has heard from him, could you forward him my adress. We went to school together. Thank you Gemco Staff. |
| Name: | Pete Chilstrom |
| Email : | workload3@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All 10 Variety !!!! |
| Name: | chris m. |
| Email : | lepto@jun.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/lepto |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | i was a kid when Gemco was around in Fountain Valley (now Sam's Club) i used to love when my Mum would take me there - she would get me a ICEE as soon as we came in then it was straight to the music dept. where i messed around with the guitars+drum sets. i loved the record dept. and still have some cassette tapes of breakdance music i got there - ha!! |
| Name: | Ron Zwolak |
| Email : | zwolak_ronald@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked both stores in Riverside. Started as a 99 cleaning the store and ended up warehouse Mgr. Transfered to N.C. Memco then to Md. I really enjoyed working at all the different stores with so many different and fun people. |
| Name: | Pat Miller, AKA: Van Bibber, Felix, Miller, now Bridges...lol |
| Email : | fireupwithpatti@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So many wonderful, funny, and intense memories...I worked in several of the bay area stores. (also seven gran/re-grand openings)1971-1986 I started in the Wig Department and proceeded to Dept.Head of Hardware/automotive in Fremont then Housewares Depy. Head to Home furnishings DH to customer service rep. on the front end. Anyone remember? Ralana, Gloria, Phil Reddick, John Hagopian, Geoff Garren, or June, Joel?????...just to many to list! How 'bout the golf tournaments???? If Gemco was around today, I think, I would still be with them. Thanks for the memories, would love to hear from any of you. |
| Name: | ERIC |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I HAVE FAINT MEMORIES OF BEING AT GEMCO.. |
| Comments: | IM VERY GLAD TO FIND THIS SITE....UNTILL NOW GEMCO WAS AN UNCONFIRMED MEMORY! |
| Name: | Ed Scaife |
| Email : | azshadow99@hotmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/azshadow |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked in Sacramento at the Fulton store 85-86 (right at the end!). |
| Comments: | Great site! Great memories! |
| Name: | Ed Scaife |
| Email : | azshadow99@hotmail.com |
| Website: | http://www.myspace.com/azshadow |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked in Sacramento at the Fulton store. |
| Comments: | Great site! Great memories! |
| Name: | Donna Duncan (then: Harrison-Lowry) |
| Email : | macabre64@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being so proud of opening the "prototype" store on Nogales in Rowland Heights. |
| Comments: | I miss some of my co-workers. I worked with some GREAT people there. Tony and Janie in upper management, NOT among them. |
| Name: | Rich Williams |
| Email : | RBWJR325@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Gemco tire shop in 71 72? Butch Craig was the Service Man.I later worked at Gemco tire shop at Lakewood & Artesia.Service Manager was a nut.Good Jobs though! |
| Name: | Cyndie Crouch |
| Email : | cbebop@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My favorite memory is falling in love with the founder of Gemco's son, Steven Grand. I met him while helping set up the opening of the Gemco in Mtn. View. Le Gran jewelers was the original owner, and then sold to Lucky's. We didn't end up staying together, but that's okay because first loves stick with you forever. |
| Comments: | Gemco was a great foundation for my work ethic the rest of my life. "Have fun, work hard, make it your family and have patience with the customer." there are so many great memories and anecdotes, that a book should be published. Isn't it wonderful that a chain store can make such a difference in so many people's lives? I wonder if macy's, target, or kmart has a website signed by so many ex employee's? |
| Name: | Keith |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved spending time in the toy section, looking at all the Star Wars action figures. This was while my mom was buying the groceries. |
| Comments: | I also enjoyed hiding in the middle of the clothing racks. I think it was very cool that Gemco had a nice hunting section, too. |
| Name: | Nicole Jackson |
| Email : | chrinimo@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I used to love Gemco back in the late 70's. We used to
go to the one in Long Beach, Ca. I was about five and I was a new
reader. I loved reading all the signs out loud to my dad who was so
impressed that I could read. The used to have a little hamburger place inside that one too and my mom would take us to eat there. It was such a treat. Thanks so much for having this site. |
| Name: | don |
| Email : | dgh921@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | when scanners were 1st installed at la puente gemco |
| Comments: | I worked in the liquor dept with Joe Bacerel, Rocky was our manager. Karen Pusateri was a box girl that I remember. Also Irene, Delia Ponce, Mary Wion, Bruce Husband, Sandy, Liz Washington, I also remember Connie our 3rd person, Frank our Deli person, Tony in produce . It was a very long time ago about 1978 or so. I took early retirement after 28 years with luckys/albertsons |
| Name: | Annette (Widrig) |
| Email : | annette715@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I started in the San Diego store in 1976 (remember
manager Glen Amick and so many other people whose faces I can pictures
but not names). A lesson that always stuick with me was when Dept. Head Mike (fun guy and partier too) went skiing and broke his leg. I remember him actually getting into trouble for getting hurt - they told him he should have been more responsible. (?) Now, as a makeup artist for brides, I work with my hands and have actually found myself protecting my right hand, keeping that lesson in mind. Strange. Transferred to Oceanside store when it opened and stayed until 1983 when I moved away to get married. Had a really, really great time at that store! Worked in Sm. Electrics and then Cosmetics for years. Nicest people everywhere in that store! |
| Comments: | So many great memories! Part of it seems to be that we
were all around college age so I think of it the way that many people
probably remember their college years. When you think about it, a lot
of us had a great deal of responsibility for our ages. I remember
meeting with vendors and placing huge orders for Christmas gift sets.
I'll never forget John Amick (#2) saying, "I trust you, you can do it."
That made me want to do a great job. I remember Robert Romero bringing in Tamales for the managers on Christmas Eve to supposedly bribe them for best days off, but I have a hunch Robert and his generous family would have done that anyway. Remember having to be back at work waaay before dawn the day after Christmas to do markdowns and get ready for the sales. I remember seeing "guests" at 6:00 a.m. actually run from the front door to the Christmas dept. to get the sale mdse. It's Christmas time as I write so it really comes back. Mike Maples, John & Bonnie Amick, Seth Jenkins and the baseball team. Parties afterwards. Rick Carpenter who married the store secretary when they moved to another store and had twins. Don't know where they are now. And sadly, Richard Drake who was killed in a car accident commuting to work the night shift when another store opened. There are so many of you I remember with such great fondness! Had a great time reading and finding the few names I knew. Glad to hear that it was a good experience for so many others too! I had already moved to the Midwest (I'm near Chicago) when my family told me the stores were closing, and really worried about you all. Keep writing! The warehouse was always a great place to hang out. The dirty jokes from the truckers that the guys passed on to us were great for a break. I have a few pictures I'll try to post if I can. I know one has Robert Romero in a Santa Suit with Blues Brothers type sunglasses for Halloween. . . I've been married for 24 years and maybe time enables me to mostly remember the good times - but there were a lot. Bless you guys and hope you're all doing well! |
| Name: | Tammy Welch |
| Email : | tamps46@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | At the International Bed and Jewelry Show on 16 Dec 07. got a lot of nice stuff. Beats paying for shipping and handling. |
| Name: | Robert Jones |
| Email : | bobjones.svfl@aol.com |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco 503, Cupertino and 504 San Jose Hillsdale from May 1971 until March 1982. I worked there through HS and College. I had met girlfriends there plus many good friends. In fact my current boss was someone I worked with at Gemco. |
| Name: | Jon Cote |
| Email : | dealinthedevil@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The GEMCO crew.... |
| Comments: | My journey started at Gemco 531, Sacramento/Fulton Ave. Gemco was the best job by far one could have ever wanted. At the time (1976 -1986) I always thought at he time that we were overpaid (speaking for myself of course). I started in the toy department and several months later became a Department Head for Patio, Hardware/Automotive then Housewares. I think I was taking home around $400.00 wk. (big money for a 20 year old back then). After gaining knowelege of working in several Departments I was transfered to 547/Reno for a short time before returning to my now favorite store 507/Riverside Blvd. (what a store) I also worked at 809/Mack Road for a few years in between jumping between the Sacramento stores. I was eventually promoted to Member Service Manager (MSM), a newly created position towards the end of the Gemco era. I finally finished with Gemco at the Riverside location. I truly miss many of the co-workers and friends that I worked with over the years. If any of you are still around , I'd enjoy hearing from you. |
| Name: | Dennis Boren |
| Email : | chiefpettyofficerretired@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | While at #578 we went threw a pertty big earth quake. It was not my favorite memory, but I will never forget it. |
| Comments: | I started at Walnut Creek, Ca. #512 in Hardware/ Automotive Clerk 1976-1977. Transfered to #510 San Leandro,Ca. 1977-1979, Housewares, Toys and Patio Department Head then Warehouse Manager. A short time at #578 Dublin, Ca. as Warehouse Manager before Transfering to GEMCO Major Appliances Distribution Center, Milpitas, Ca. as Warehouse Supervisor in 1979. Stayed there for one year before leaving GEMCO for Eugene, Oregon and a new job as Asst. Manager for Fred Myer Stores. I knew Target was coming. |
| Name: | Jim Steward |
| Email : | jimsteward@charter.net |
| Website: | http://www.stancomarriage.org |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The day that I remember most is the day the main air conditioning supply crashed through the ceiling and came down like dominos down the main aisle. My diamond salesman jumped over the counter out of the way. |
| Comments: | Modesto, Store 542. Jewelry Manager. Started as camera sales. Worked in Modesto from 1977 until the end in 1986. My wife and I both worked in the store. She got hired as closing store security and worked longer than I did at the end. We both still miss Gemco. It was our favorite place to shop even after working there all those years. |
| Name: | Barb Lawrence |
| Email : | barbian7@yahoo.com |
| Website: | http://woofnanny.blogspot.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I used to enjoy working out in the back, waiting for the customers to drive up so I could load their cars (I don't remember what we called it anymore). I still drive by there and reflect. |
| Comments: | I worked for Food Basket (before it was Lucky) at the Gemco in La Mesa in the late 70's. I remember racing with co-workers to see who could bag the fastest (I still rock at organizing a bag or a box). I seem to remember the pallet races someone referred to earlier. The employee sales they had were brilliant--items that were slightly damaged were offered at discounted prices. It was fun there--I should have stayed longer than I did. I left to work for a department store, and it wasn't the same vibe. But I remember several of my co-workers fondly. Is there a way to upload photos here? I have some! |
| Name: | Jay Dannen |
| Email : | jaanhami@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | It was great to just hang out after or before my shift
and hang with the group of us. Met my first girlfriend there. My Dad was a District Manager for all the 13 Gemco jewelry depts, so I got the job inside, instead of pulling carts. me and my co workers on slow nights would pull pranks on each other just before facing time. Ahhhhhh, facing time. I loved that. Crank the radio in auto dept, and face, face, face. Oh yes, also find pens on the spinner racks and other things that people would shop lift. |
| Comments: | Worked at the Mountain View, CA Gemco from 1978 to
1981. I worked in the hardware / auto / small app / stationary dept. Worked at the Cupertino, CA Gemco from 1981 to 1983 - Night Crew. If you worked with me, send me an email. It would be great to hear from you!! |
| Name: | James Remington |
| Email : | mell.rem@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I lived next to the GEMCO in Lakewood, ca. I used to ride my bike there almost every day as a kid, I have fond memorys of GEMCO. |
| Name: | Steven White |
| Email : | candyca559@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I have worked at the Gemco Department store in Granada Hills CA. From 1982 up to them going out of business.I remember all of the co workers that I had a lot of fun with.Is there anyone else that work there during that time frame. |
| Name: | steve troli |
| Email : | stevetroli@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | tearing out patio department every year to set up toys. can you believe we did that stuff. Convincing Tony Cruz that it was an hour later than it was, him sending us all home, then Tony getting in trouble with Dave Locko for letting us all go early. |
| Comments: | Heard about this from Larry Pearing. Worked at Pomona, La Puente, East Fullerton, Rowland Hieghts. |
| Name: | Mike Blumenkrantz |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I didn't actually get to work in Gemco but I did interview for a position when I was 16 at the Hillsdale Ave. location in San Jose, CA back in 1980. I had a friend who was a bagger in the grocery section and when no one was looking he showed me some pot he had just bought from a co-worker back in the store room! When I was like 10, I loved flashing my Gemco card to people like it was a detective badge! |
| Name: | Pete Chilstrom |
| Email : | workload3@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Answering all the alarm calls when no one else would. |
| Name: | Tim Murphy |
| Email : | Dmvtim@aim.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 1973 madison ave evacuees meet at gemco |
| Name: | Renee Heckenlaible |
| Email : | reneeheck@roadrunner.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO 541 Fullerton was the best store. Jim Harris store Manager best manager. Jerry Rice Warehouse manager I started working there in 1975 to 1986 when the store closed. I had such good memories it was like a family. We used to go to Goodies or Don Jose for drinks with everyone after work. Next day someone would be found sleeping in the girls bathroom on the cot (Vicki Canning)Ha! or the overhead. We also played practical jokes and we would find a mannequin sitting on the toilet in the ladies restroom. When the store close at night Danny Almadova (not sure about spelling) would turn up the music and dance down the isle. Sue Burke worked in small electrics miss her. Fred D'Odean was another manager that worked with us he was great too. And were is Rick Masucii remember fish lips? Sarah Strahan are you still working for Sams club were I think some of our people went to work for. If anyone know anything about Jim Harris drop me an email. |
| Name: | Ed |
| Email : | cbr900cr80@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Loved trucking driving |
| Comments: | Hello’ I worked for Gemco at the major appliance warehouse in Montebello Ca. for 6+ years and was a union member of local 986. Gemco went out of business but was owned by Lucky supermarket. I’m nearing retirement and would like to know if anyone has any information on the former Gemco pension plan. Does one exist? Thanks for your time. Ed |
| Name: | Darren Ross |
| Email : | darren@magiccastlehotel.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I was in Gemco at least 2-3 times a week when I was a
little kid. My favorite memory was watching Myron in the hardware
department. He was so nice. I remember he had a limp and always carried
is feather duster. I would always hear him saying, "Mamm, I'll be right
with you". He always very busy. Also.....I remember my favorite section being the record section. I loved flipping through the 45"s. |
| Name: | Jan |
| Email : | leftcoaster49@comcast.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Whacked out nights in the credit office, mocking the Disco Queen credit manager and fawning over the Greek God customer who'd stand in line and make us faint .. until he'd turn around and smack into the *#&% pole. |
| Comments: | Wow, throwback to some OLD times. Worked first at #503
(Cupertino) With Chuck Bell, Rich Weeks, Cindy Einhorn and a bunch of
really, really fabulous people. Then to #538, then #504 and Mission
Viejo for a few months. Back to #503 for the summer of '84 for my last
summer of college. LOVED the folks who'd make a point of tearing up their cards right in front of me when I couldn't cash their checks for one reason or another ... HATED Christmas ('nuff said, huh?) Oh, and then there was inventory. They'd stick me with Dave Connolly down the chemical aisle because I ran a 10-key with lightning speed, and he knew every product by code. Amazing, that guy. |
| Name: | christina (Jan) kaylor |
| Email : | kaylorjjj@cox.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Sitting in the tv dept at lunchtime watching my soap, all my children. |
| Name: | Tim Eaton RPh. |
| Email : | Timi.Eaton@Bestlipservice.net |
| Website: | http://www.Bestlipservice.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a pretty decent experience all around. |
| Comments: | I started my Pharmacy career at Gemco in 1983 at the
Reno, NV store after graduating from Pharmacy at Idaho State Univ. I then became the Pharmacy manager at the Sparks store until they closed! |
| Name: | Deni Richardson |
| Email : | reagan1955@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So...so many. Out of all the fun memories the one (although embarressing) that sticks in my mind is......I was sitting in the snack bar by myself, I had a major crush on my #2, he was walking out with a few of the the other managers and I was trying to act like I didn't notice him, I crossed my legs and kicked over the chair in front of me. GOT HIS ATTENTION! So many more involving my #2. |
| Comments: | If anyone has any info on Ron Spencer please e-mail me!!!!!! |
| Name: | Deni Richardson |
| Email : | reagan1955@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | So...so many. Out of all the fun memories the one (although embarressing) that sticks in my mind is......I was sitting in the snack bar by myself, I had a major crush on my #2, he was walking out with a few of the the other managers and I was trying to act like I didn't notice him, I crossed my legs and kicked over the chair in front of me. GOT HIS ATTENTION! So many more involving my #2. |
| Comments: | If anyone has any info on Ron Spencer please e-mail me!!!!!! |
| Name: | Diane Powell |
| Email : | powema8@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | working christmas night crew with theresa and jeff and all the practically jokes the mad rush of the customer in the morning for the toys after all that work destroyed in a matter of seconds cabbage patch doll and the glow worm |
| Comments: | I really loved working there. It was a blast I was
hired for christmas help in 1978 at the la mirada store and was 1 of 2 of us kept after christmas I was the store price changer for many years. also work stationary and hba. I tranfer to the riverside store the year it closed. after it close I went to work for luckys (not the same) |
| Name: | Mike Cobb |
| Email : | michaelpcobb@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO, La Mirada, CA. Setting cart pushing record (like 60 or so carts)with out assistance. Seeing Michelle and her family come in to say hi. Bugging Rene (my dept. mgr) in Sporting Goods. Doing two wheel hanging turns on the pallet jacks. |
| Comments: | Hi to all the gang, Rene, Anna, the two Lisas in snack bar, Joe and Brad in Patio, Lori and Lauri, Jeff P., Jill at the front desk, Bosses Pete, Sue, Larry, and later Fred and Big Chuck. It's now Home Depot, but it still brings back memories. |
| Name: | Mike Cobb |
| Email : | michaelpcobb@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | GEMCO, La Mirada, CA. Setting cart pushing record (like 60 or so carts)with out assistance. Seeing Michelle and her family come in to say hi. Bugging Rene (my dept. mgr) in Sporting Goods. Doing two wheel hanging turns on the pallet jacks. |
| Comments: | Hi to all the gang, Rene, Anna, the two Lisas in snack bar, Joe and Brad in Patio, Lori and Lauri, Jeff P., Jill at the front desk, Bosses Pete, Sue, Larry, and later Fred and Big Chuck. It's now Home Depot, but it still brings back memories. |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday and Gemco 511 was great memory!!! |
| Comments: | I miss everyone who I worked with at 511 for 6 years
and would love to hear from anyone who worked there from or during
1980- 1986! I am trying to put together a list of people who would be interested in a Great 511 Reunion! Please e-mail or call 714-642-6827. Thanks Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday and Gemco 511 was great memory!!! |
| Comments: | I miss everyone who I worked with at 511 for 6 years
and would love to hear from anyone who worked there from or during
1980- 1986! I am trying to put together a list of people who would be interested in a Great 511 Reunion! Please e-mail or call 714-642-6827. Thanks Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday of my 6 years at store 511 gave me wonderful memories . |
| Comments: | I worked at store 511 Santa Ana 1980-1986. Those years
were the best years of my life, and I miss the family we had. I would
love to hear from anyone who worked at store 511 asap, especially if
you were there during these years!! Myself and Scott Harris, Nancy
Atherton, Matt Delaney, are putting together names and numbers for a
huge bash! You remember parties at mine and Scott's house!!! Let's all
get together for another! If you are interested PLEASE e-mail me asap, give my e-mail to others that you know worked with us! Or call me at 714-642-6827 hope to hear from everyone soon! Todd |
| Name: | Todd Halverson |
| Email : | twhlhc@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everyday of my 6 years at store 511 gave me wonderful memories . |
| Comments: | I worked at store 511 Santa Ana 1980-1986. Those years
were the best years of my life, and I miss the family we had. I would
love to hear from anyone who worked at store 511 asap, especially if
you were there during these years!! Myself and Scott Harris, Nancy
Atherton, Matt Delaney, are putting together names and numbers for a
huge bash! You remember parties at mine and Scott's house!!! Let's all
get together for another! If you are interested PLEASE e-mail me asap, give my e-mail to others that you know worked with us! Or call me at 714-642-6827 hope to hear from everyone soon! Todd |
| Name: | Josh |
| Email : | joshhsoj@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I remember going to GEMCO in Colma, CA from about 1974 to 1981. I was 4 yo and 11 yo when I last went. My mom and I used to drive down from Marin to Colma once a week for film developing. I also remember getting an "ICEE" for the first time there too. Had fun shopping with mom there... |
| Comments: | Great website, I will ask my mom if she still has membership card or anything related. |
| Name: | Dorothy K. |
| Email : | doffy@charter.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to list. I grew up in that store! |
| Comments: | I was born and raised in Granada Hills. The GH Gemco
was probably the store my mom shopped at more than any other. We did
all our grocery shopping there, and I think I still have camping
equipment that I bought there. And I know I still have an old beach
towel we bought there....scary! I found this website while doing a search to see when the store closed down (a sad, sad day). You see, I still have a small 13" color TV that my parents bought during the going-out-of-business sale. It's an 'Astra', with the letters written a bit like the 'Stars Wars' logo. The darn thing still works really well. I have it in my home office...of course, it isn't hooked to cable or anything. It just gets the regular broadcast channels, but it's served me well over the years. I'm finally replacing it with something that can actually get cable, but my old Astra still has a place here. I think I'll put it in my guest room. :) I wish I still had my old membership card. I actually kept it for years after the store closed. The pictures of the cards look just like I remember. I'm glad Gemco still lives on, in a way. :) |
| Name: | Dorothy K. |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Way too many to list. I grew up in that store! |
| Comments: | I was born and raised in Granada Hills. The GH Gemco
was probably the store my mom shopped at more than any other. We did
all our grocery shopping there, and I think I still have camping
equipment that I bought there. And I know I still have an old beach
towel we bought there....scary! I found this website while doing a search to see when the store closed down (a sad, sad day). You see, I still have a small 13" color TV that my parents bought during the going-out-of-business sale. It's an 'Astra', with the letters written a bit like the 'Stars Wars' logo. The darn thing still works really well. I have it in my home office...of course, it isn't hooked to cable or anything. It just gets the regular broadcast channels, but it's served me well over the years. I'm finally replacing it with something that can actually get cable, but my old Astra still has a place here. I think I'll put it in my guest room. :) I wish I still had my old membership card. I actually kept it for years after the store closed. The pictures of the cards look just like I remember. I'm glad Gemco still lives on, in a way. :) |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list |
| Comments: | The guy in the 526 picture on the lower right is Nick DeMartz. Worked with him in jewelry......... |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list....was a great company.... |
| Comments: | The guy in the extreme lower right of the picture of 526 is Nick DeMartz....he was in jewelry........... |
| Name: | Dave Smith |
| Email : | davetucson1@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too many to list....was a great company.... |
| Comments: | The guy in the extreme lower right of the picture of 526 is Nick DeMartz....he was in jewelry........... |
| Name: | Nina S |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | Nina S. |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | Nina S. |
| Email : | neener1960@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | My mom would take my 3 sisters and I to Gemco in La Puente. We lived in West Covina. Sometimes she would leave us in the car in the parking lot. Back in the early 60's that was safe to do. We would get bored waiting for her so we would randomly say "the next person coming out (of Gemco) is Mom." We'd all laugh hilariously if the next person who came out was a man or some funny looking person and not our mom. I taught that game to my kids when their dad would "run" into a store real quick while we waited in the car and maybe they'll teach it to their kids and have fun. Speaking of my mom, she told me a few days ago she sometimes accidentally refers to Wal Mart as Gemco. I can sympthathize because once in a great while I'll accidentally tell my kids I'm going to Ole's (the old hardware store) when I'm really going to Home Depot. |
| Name: | DON TURMAN |
| Email : | turman41@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Christmas stocking and going to school the next morning on two hours sleep. all the friends I made there over 13 yrs at Torrance and 1 at Carson, |
| Comments: | Started at Torrance at 15.5 yrs worked there for 13
yrs, grew up pushing carts and rec trucks,stocking the whse the floor,
as mentioned on another persons memory Pallet Jack Racing at the end of
the night was tons of fun. But the best thing was learning what it was
like to make my own way. bought my first car at 16 with money made from
pushing carts. Would like to hear from anyone that worked at Torrance or Carson with me, and would really like to find Terry Wertz, Bill Evans, if anyone has e-mail info one either on of them. Thanks Don |
| Name: | Roberta Santoyo (Prince) |
| Email : | bobbie045@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Too Many to mention! |
| Comments: | I'm really interested in finding out how to reach a
couple of Gemco people - Fred D'Ordine, last of Hendersonville, TN, and
the Gemco "Cosmetics girl" - Olga (was Herrera) from San Gabriel - and
Joe Pacheco.... If anyone knows how to reach them, please email me at Bobbie045@aol.com! Thanks!!! |
| Name: | Lynda Taylor |
| Email : | sadietlr@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everything. I worked at store 531 in Sacramento on Fulton Ave for 14 years.Christmas was my favorite season to work. I still remember everyone as if it was last week.I really miss everyone and still after 21 years I have never forgotten or got over closing. We had a small reunion in August of last year and it was great.Maybe we can have another reunion some time soon. |
| Name: | Lynda Taylor |
| Email : | sadietlr@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Everything. I worked at store 531 in Sacramento on Fulton Ave for 14 years.Christmas was my favorite season to work. I still remember everyone as if it was last week.I really miss everyone and still after 21 years I have never forgotten or got over closing. We had a small reunion in August of last year and it was great.Maybe we can have another reunion some time soon. |
| Name: | Jon Shelton |
| Email : | worldinabox@sbcglobal.net |
| Website: | http://360.yahoo.com/worldinabox@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Being fired on the spot for "fudging" my time card after returning from lunch (only 5 minutes!), then chewing out our store manager Ron for being so overbearing only to be reinstated by the union three days later! Also, I remember raiding the record department's 45 single rack to make great compilation cassettes in the stereo department (remember when TDK HiDensity tapes prevailed?). |
| Comments: | Hi everyone. I worked in the stereo department in Simi Valley from about 1983/4 'til they closed their doors. I worked with Scott Matyac, Jeff Perkins, Carol Ann Lafasso (sp?), Bill Kivinski and Larry Chong. Gemco was a great place and a fun job. We had the best stereo equipment in town back then and I must have sold a thousand commodore 64's! Everyone in Simi Valley must have passed through our department at one time or another. Every time a stranger says they recognize my face, I say, "Gemco" and they immediately remember me! I was there at the very end, gutting the store and taking "anything that was not nailed down" is how they put it (they didn't say anything about being screwed down, so I made off with about ten dressing room mirrors!). Remember filling a shopping cart as full as possible and paying only five dollars? That was a bonus for sticking it out until the end. I found an endcap that had gone undiscovered pushed up against a wall loaded with "Masters of the Universe" figures. My nephews were thrilled that Christmas. And how about the strike. Man, I was naive... All I remember is heckling customers and running Shakespear lines with fellow employees while walking in circles (I was in a play at Moorpark at the time). Hey - go to YouTube and type "flyinghorseknuckles" into the search engine. You will find my page there loaded with my music and weirdness. I still live in Simi Valley with my wife Lisa (Badger) and our two boys Sam and Charlie (13 and 5 as of 5-17-07). Everyone should add to this guestbook... what great memories! Jon |
| Name: | Paul Bauer |
| Email : | bauer1887@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | 29c...I had the record for the longest chain...Falling hopelessly in love with K.C....Patio, with Hal...singing harmony to Beatles songs...Barbara D...I think I miss her the most...And,...who could forget the Locko brothers..? |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco in La Mesa, Ca...from 1977-1983...I started as a 29C...Then went to Patio...Where I spent most of my time in the Nursery...I left in 1983, before the closings...went to work for Target...then Home Depot...I will always hold fond memories of my time there...Hope all of you are doing well...Paul. |
| Name: | Ken Goodwin |
| Email : | kandkgood@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I always liked working on Mondays when we were closed. The music was loud, the basket ball games in sporting goods were great, and everyone kicked butt . . . When we were done we would get in my 1959 pickup and go to Frank and Nick's liqour store and buy a couple of cases and go back to the parking lot and "finish" the day - Those were the days at Gemco 505 in San Gabriel - you sure couldn't do that now!!!! |
| Comments: | I worked at 505,506,516,812,821 - I remember opening 821 in Duarte on Halloween 1985 and closing it in December 1986 - I think I was one of the few managers that could say that I opened and closed the same building - It was sad because it was a nice building - I remember the "Going Out of Business" signs - as we got closer to the last day I was putting on the front of the store Going Going Going and on the last day "GONE" - Sue Mullens thought that was great - I learned a great deal about retailing there - but most of all I remember the good times and the great people. |
| Name: | Dennis Dingivan |
| Email : | dpdd@optonline.net |
| Name: | Dave Stevens |
| Email : | dstevens@stevensdigital.net |
| Website: | http://www.stevensdigital.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at Gemco after returning from Viet-Nam in '69, starting in Fountain Valley, going to Houston to open the stores there, then back to Torrance, CA to open it with Terry Wertz and Bill Evans, then on to Long Beach and San Gabriel Gemco's. My uncle was Richard Stevens, President of the Gemco Division and one of the greatest men I ever knew. Richard Stevens passed away this week, April 4, 2007 with myself, his sons, Mark and Gary Stevens, and his second wife of almost 20 years, Peg, by his side, in St. Joesph, MO. I found this web site while looking for longtime Gemco employees who would like to know of his passing. |
| Comments: | Richard Stevens retired from Lucky Stores/Gemco and he
and his first wife, Virgina, moved to Carmel, CA. Virg passed away 22
years ago. Richard re-married his high school sweetheart, Peggy, after
attending a class reunion, where the sparks were re-ignited. They
subsequently moved to North Carolina for health reasons, and the when
Rich realized his health was failing, insisted they move to St. Joesph,
MO where Peg's dauther lives, thinking as always of making sure she
would have family around her. Rich established the great culture we all enjoyed while working at Gemco. I remember him cruising through the stores with his DM's at his side, Grant and Rolf, greeting employess by name while the store managers stood by. Working at Gemco was indeed special, the stores were unique with the membership scheme, and all of us thought of ourselves as merchandisers, not clerks or associates. Richard encouraged an entreprenurial spirit, evidenced by the time Bill Evans and I drilled holes in the ceiling of the newly opened Torrance store to hang a 30' garland Christmas tree, and the time that Bill Evans caught the Puca Shell necklace craze, making announcements every 30 minutes that they were on sale in the cosmetic department (that didn't sit too well with the Jewerly dept). All of this stuff was related to Richard Stevens through the chain of command, but rather then coming down with the "stick" he would just smile and say "Good Job." When Lucky Stores took the poison pill and shuttered all of the Gemco's, Rich was crushed. He will be missed. |
| Name: | Pamela Camou Poure |
| Email : | mappoure@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked @ Gemco jewelry I enjoyed it because I was able to be with my sister more. And Lorraine lived accross the street and she would some good parties even the Signal Hill cop's were cool about her parties. Good memories and met some really cool Gemco people. |
| Comments: | My Sweet Lorraine, Lorraine & I are 13 mos aprart. Lorraine found out she had cancer on her 40th b-day. She was with her partner Wendy and 2 of her friends in Idlyewild Lorraines favorite place. Wendy was with Lorraine every step of the way. Lorraine never had childern her neice and nephew's where here kid's she looked them so much. On 2/99 Lorraine was able to witness her great neice be born. There was such a bond between the two sweet Lorraine would do anything for this little girl. I miss my sister every day I do feel her around me especially with the animals it feels that she speaks to me through them. Lorraine was a fantastic sister, friend, auntie, daughter and partner. Pamela Camou Poure |
| Name: | LYN CROVO |
| Email : | WMCROVO@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | THE COMRADERIE OF THE EMPLOYEES IN ALL DEPARTMENTS....... |
| Comments: | I WORKED IN THE PHARMACY IN THE 1960'S AND
70'S........AT THE STEVENS CREEK STORE IN SAN JOSE......OR WAS IT SANTA
CLARA ???????? WHEN LUCKY'S DID NOT RENEW THE PHARMACY LEASE.....SOME OF THE CREW STAYED WITH LUCKY....I WENT WITH THE COMPANY THAT I STARTED WITH...CAL-LABS......WE THEN WERE INVOLVED WITH PHARMACIES IN SKILLED NURSING FACILITES AND ACUTE HOSPITALS... THE MOST FUN THAT I EVER HAD IN MY ENTIRE WORKING YEARS......WAS GEMCO PHARMACY.....PIONEERS IN THE DISCOUNT PHARMACY BUSINESS......AT THAT TIME SOME WERE SAYING THAT THE DISCOUNT PHARMACY WAS NOT A GOOD THING.......THAT THE PHARMACISTS WOULD HAVE TO WORK SO FAST THEY WOULD MAKE MISTAKES........NO WAY.....THE PHARMACISTS THAT I WORKED WITH WERE THE VERY BEST.....I SEE SO MANY MISTAKES TODAY......FROM PHARMACIES THAT DO NOT DO NEARLY THE VOLUME THAT WE DID AT GEMCO......I SEE NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.......... |
| Name: | Ken Nimmo |
| Email : | kenprescottrealtor@earthlink.net |
| Website: | http://www.kennimmo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | OCMEG At least that is what we called the beach party runs from the Glendora store. Most were organized by Langism Nimmomania inc. LOL. Wow Gemco was a fun place to work. |
| Name: | stephanie |
| Email : | myladylowe@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Mission Viejo (now Target) location...walking in, security guard was always there. Shoe dept on the right, jewlery repair guy in his little kiosk on the left, grocery store wayyy in the back. Garanimal clothing sets on the wall... I thought we were really privledged or something to own a "Gemco" card. Teehee |
| Comments: | Right when I thought i was the only one to have fond memories of Gemco. |
| Name: | Barbara Bronson |
| Email : | dougnbarb@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Not one certain thing, but just how much a part of the community it was and what a great store. I was at Gemco every week. |
| Comments: | In Glendora, the Gemco store was a community hub. There were always bake sales, puppy giveaways, voter registration, Scouts, etc. selling their wares out front. The store inside was always clean and organized. They had everything! There was even a dry cleaning facility, pharmacy, eyeglasses, shoes, books, paint, groceries (which they loaded in back of the store for you), clothing, baby, housewares, sporting goods, music, hardware, Christmas trees, plant nursery, they had it all!The prices were great. You'd usually see someone you knew. My kids remember it fondly too, we always went there when they were young. You could really stretch the family budget. |
| Name: | John Consuegra |
| Email : | spacecoyote1966@gmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | No specific memory that I would call my favorite. They were all good. In fact, its a bit odd, but I have recurring dreams about shopping at Gemco. Go figure |
| Comments: | I grew up in Glendora, CA. Our family used to shop at that Gemco frequently. Many a Christmas gift was purchased there. No one in my family ever worked for Gemco, though I did cash my very first paycheck at the customer service desk there. With spring cleaning, I'll be going through my storage shed. If I come across any old membership cards, I'll scan and post them. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. |
| Name: | Diannia Walker |
| Email : | djazzyyy@aol.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The excitment of being hired at a discount store. I had never worked in that type of retail enviroment before. When I started, it was in October of 1981 in Sacramento, CA at the new store on Mack Road. Can't remember the store number. I met a lot of very nice people that turned into become friends. Every now and again I come across some from that time in my life. I truly miss GEMCO. |
| Comments: | Thank you for keeping the GEMCO memory Alive!! Those were the days. |
| Name: | Larry K. Rowland |
| Email : | Rowland_565@msn.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Chistmas time and the long hours working with great friends and people. Those store meetings at the snack shop before store openings. |
| Comments: | I started at the Santa Ana store #511 (?) in 1966 in the Credit Office, made mgr and moved to Fountain Valley in 1967 and then to Indio in 1974. I worked with Rudy Stangle (store mgr) and Del Gossert, Roy Woodbury (passed away in 2006), Debbie Stevenson ( I married her and that lasted 18months), Gene Fairchild ( he lives in Wash state), Larry Miller, (lives back east, we keep in touch., Pat Borger married Dave Peterson (they live near Palm Springs) I quit and moved to Wash state in 79, worst move I ever made because I missed Gemco so much. After three years I moved back and got my old job back opening the new Gemco in Victorville. I was in heaven till it closed in 1986. I would love to hear from anybody that remembers me. Thanks, Larry |
| Name: | Clare & Ernie Ybarra |
| Email : | Clareybarra@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Just all the great people we met there and became friends with. |
| Comments: | We both worked at Gemco between 1974 to 1976 @ Beechnut
& Fondren in Houston Texas when we were in High School. We attended the same High School but didn't know it until we met working at Gemco. I was a cashier/ front desk/ customer service person. Ernie worked in the toy department. We started dating, fell in love, got married and now have been married 30 years and have 2 kids. |
| Name: | Don hay |
| Email : | don91016@verizon.net |
| Comments: | I worked at La Puente Gemco in 1976-1978 and then went on to work with Luckys and Albertsons until 2002 and then froze my pension. I have found memories of Sandy Karen Delia and Irene. I worked in the Liquor Dept with Joe Baccerel and also with Gerry Hirsch |
| Name: | Don Hay |
| Email : | don91016@verizon.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I worked at La Puente Gemco in 1977 and then was transferred to West Covia Luckys after about 10 months. I worked in the Liquor Dept at both gemco and Luckys and i went on to work for Albertsons from 1974-2002 |
| Name: | Matt A. |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I basically grew up in the Torrance Gemco (I'm 35 now), now a Best Buy/OfficeMax. My mom did all her grocery shopping there even though there was a Lucky's right around the corner. My little league batting gloves, white puma cleats, most of my space legos, my Dungeons & Dragons books, my first stereo when I was 12, many vinyl albums, Le Tigre shirts, and plenty of Kenner Star Wars action figures all came from Gemco. I can still picture the original red Gemco letters on the front of the building and I remember not liking it when they changed to the blue/yellow color scheme. Thanks for creating this bit of nostalgia on the internet. I spoke to my mom and she says she still has that membership card somewhere! Cheers. |
| Name: | Benjamin Aguirrre |
| Email : | bcaguirre2006@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I had no great memory of gemco. i was let go by an old man his name was chuck, he is more than likely dead by now that was 21 years ago....good....i ended up at fedco after that now i just work security...... |
| Comments: | no other comments..... |
| Name: | Kenny Yamamoto |
| Email : | kodeedotcom@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Gemco was a great place to work. I met many friends. Once I got laid off from Gemco 634/Carson, I went to work for Lucky Stores 630/Torrance as a produce clerk. Gemco taught me what I needed to know in the grocery business. I ended up working in the Lucky Main Office in Buena Park for 9 years. 17 total with Gemco/Lucky Stores. |
| Name: | Stephen W. Brandt |
| Email : | stephenwbrandt@comcast.net |
| Website: | http://www.fotolog.net/default |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Favorite: The CABBAGE PATCH rush at Christmas at the La Puente store!!! |
| Comments: | LIFETIME membership? I still have the card and also my manager's card with my name on it. I would never give it up. |
| Name: | Stephen Brandt, pharmacist |
| Email : | stephenw.brandt@comcast.net |
| Website: | http://www.fotolog.net/default |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | I loved showing my Gemco ID card coming through the door and being greeted; not like the greeter/shoplifting agent at WalMart |
| Comments: | the job was fannnnnnntastic!!!!! The guys in corporate should have all been replaced and I guess they eventually were! Write to me! I worked in Sacramento, Bay Area, San Diego stores, and LA and Orange Co. stores! |
| Name: | Rick |
| Email : | rk156@ptd.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Where do I begin! Many after work get-togethers at the Inn-Zone. Lots of hard work (but somehow it was fun). |
| Comments: | I worked at Gemco 802 in Las Vegas from 1980 to 1985. I would love to hear from someone who worked at my old store. |
| Name: | Michaelle Kelly |
| Email : | kellysmicha@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | When we used to do after closing clean-up and you could play loud music...I had a blast. |
| Name: | Kathy Brandt-Cabrera |
| Email : | loansbykathy@yahoo.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | The FUN people I worked with at the Pleasant Hill, CA
store. Getting busted at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk by my manager
after I called in sick that morning. Partying with the Stock Crew on Nights. |
| Name: | Patti Plambaeck |
| Email : | patricia5326@sbcglobal.net |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | All the good friends I had. I sure miss them. Including my store supervisor ArtBranham. |
| Comments: | I worked in Northern Ca. Any others out there. I worked in Fremont & two San Jose stores. |
| Name: | John Stewart |
| Email : | osandad@hotmail.com |
| Favorite "GEMCO" memory: | Thanks for filling in the gaps on what happned to GEMCO. We used to go as children to the Fresno store and mom would have to search for the required membership card before we got in. Now live near the former site of the Sacrmento Store on Broadway at Riverside now a Target. |